Within their association, including Chairman Zheng, there were already four people intending to make a bid.
But this painter called Xiao Chiang, they just couldn’t get in touch with her!
Sitting among the judges, Kuang Yunxian also heard Uncle Lee’s words, and he couldn’t help but give a wry smile; however, he felt an inexplicable sense of pride in his heart.
It was only later when he had to verify the artist’s information that he discovered, to his astonishment, the artist whose work he had taken a fancy to at first glance was actually painted by Chiang Xiao – the young girl Meng Xinian had brought to the library to borrow books!
This revelation had shocked him so profoundly that it took him a full three days to come to his senses.
Afterward, he carefully recalled the details of the day when Chiang Xiao told him she planned to enter the competition, and he couldn’t suppress a bitter smile whenever he thought about his assumption that she would submit a simple piece reflecting the work of a beginner.
It seems he had made that elementary mistake of judging a book by its cover.
After all, even Meng Xinian had said she was a good painter.
He should have realized sooner that if it was merely a child’s painting, Meng Xinian would not have encouraged her to enter a provincial-level art competition open to all ages.
Moreover, though Meng Xinian was a layman, his judgement wasn’t that poor.
If it were really just beginner-level painting, he wouldn’t have said it was good.
Kuang Yunxian regretted this as soon as he thought about it.
He had written her a letter the day he found out the work was done by Chiang Xiao, but he never received a reply.
He also made a call to Meng Xinian, only to find Meng Xinian’s tone a bit off, who only mentioned he would be at the event today but hadn’t shown up yet.
Seeing Long Zhenghua explaining to Uncle Lee, Kuang Yunxian looked toward the audience and just happened to see Meng Xinian, dressed casually, walking in and taking a seat in the middle of an empty spot.
Kuang Yunxian felt a bit disappointed because he didn’t bring Chiang Xiao with him, which meant that he hadn’t found Chiang Xiao either.
The announcement of the award had been brought forward by three days, and since they couldn’t find Chiang Xiao, they had no way of notifying her.
As it happened, Meng Xinian had taken a seat right next to He Jin.
Uncle Lee returned with a bit of despondency, and upon sitting down, He Jin asked, "How did it go?"
"They can’t find Xiao Chiang either! So, the painting can’t be sold!" Uncle Lee shook his head, "I reckon there’s quite a number of people interested in buying this painting."
"They can’t find that gal either? Where has she run off to? She wouldn’t be out sketching somewhere, would she?" He Jin asked.
Meng Xinian’s eyes gleamed for a moment.
Of course, Meng Xinian knew who that was. He knew all too well!
The paintings Chiang Xiao made for him each had her signature; the signature was Xiao Chiang.
But, these two people also knew Chiang Xiaoxiao?
He slightly turned his body and glanced at He Jin, his eyebrows instantly furrowing.
Here was a man whose appearance seemed to match his own. Of course, in Tyrant Meng’s eyes, it was just "seemed to," because no matter what, the man was definitely a bit inferior to himself.
This man knew Chiang Xiaoxiao and, by the sound of it, seemed quite familiar with her. However, Chiang Xiaoxiao had never mentioned such a person to him!
"Excuse me, may I know your surname, sir?" he asked in a deep voice.
He Jin had noticed him as soon as he sat down but had no particular interest in men, so after a glance, he turned his head back to thinking about Xiao Chiang’s paintings. Now, when he suddenly heard the man greeting him, he broke into a smile, revealing a set of white teeth.